CYNTHIA’S PHOTOGRAPHY “IN SYNCH WITH YOUNGSTERS”

Award-winning Berkhamsted photographer Cynthia Nolan has been hired by BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s Unsung Hero Lance Haggith because of the unique psychological insight she can bring to photographing disadvantaged youngsters.

Cynthia, owner of Shoot Me Studios in Lower Kings Road, has been recruited as the official photographer for Sports Traider, a charity founded by Lance to provide sporting and employment opportunities for disabled, vulnerable and disaffected youngsters.

“It’s a great honour to be given this opportunity to help and contribute to what is a fantastic cause,” said mum-of-two Cynthia, 37, from Northchurch. “I’m really looking forward to working and engaging with young people who could be the players, coaches and enthusiasts of the future. It’s all about trust, respect and making these youngsters feel valued and part of the process.”

(Photo - Cynthia With Bedford MP Richard Fuller holding an example of Cynthia’s work for the charity)

Lance, from Bedford, won the BBC Sports Unsung Hero Award last December for his 30-year dedication to basketball coaching and charity work supporting youngsters’ participation in sport.
Sports Traider currently has three charity shops in Luton, Bedford and Leicester, with another eight - including one in Watford – opening next year.

The shops sell second-hand and new sports kit at affordable prices, with the proceeds funding grass-roots sports coaching, access to facilities, transport and support for children and young people.

Lance said: “We’re very “on news” after the trouble with the recent riots but having like-minded people and companies on board is key to rolling out this project nationally.

“I’m delighted to have found Cynthia. She has a natural empathy, passion and belief in our project and an approach which I think the kids will really respond to.

“Many photographers would find it very difficult to relate to the kind of children we’re working with, but with Cynthia’s unique skill set and psychological insights, she’ll be able to get on their wavelength and produce pictures that embody who and what we are that can perfectly illustrate our message.”

Cynthia, who launched Shoot Me Studios in July, specialises in boudoir, lifestyle, fashion, portraiture and family photography but has a distinct “non-directive” approach informed by a Masters degree in psychology.
By “tuning into” client’s feelings and giving them the freedom to express their emotions naturally through their body language, she gets results, she claims, which give greater insight into their genuine character.

“A photographer who tells a client what to do is naturally dominant, and the client submissive,” she explains. “The key to producing a good photograph is being equal and giving people the confidence to be themselves.”

Her first assignment was the star-studded reception to highlight Sports Traider’s work and roll out its national launch at the House of Commons Terrace Pavilion on 20th October, hosted by TV News presenter John Stapleton, Lance and MP for Bedford, Richard Fuller. Among the guests were football legend Patrick Vieira and fashion designer Karen Millen.